The adventure was about to start, we picked Jim & Margaret up and headed for the airport.
Our easyJet flight to Preveza from Manchester went without a hitch. A little late setting off but we made the time up in the air and arrived on time. The mini bus was waiting and we headed off to Nydri.
We arrived at the Nydri Beach hotel, a small family run hotel and had a warm welcome from Dimitris. Our rooms had wonderful sea views.

We spent four days enjoying the sun, sea, food, wine & the wonderful hospitality here.

Then the day finally arrived. It was Sunday and boat day. We went to pick up Summer Breeze, our home for the next week, and what a wonderful week it was too.
Nisos Yacht Charter were amazing as usual. There were weather warnings around the area and so Nisos had organised a mooring for our first evening over on Meganisi at the entrance to Little Vathi.
The first real hurdle was to get Margaret on the boat. Walking over the plank was a daunting task, but with our help she conquered her fear and was on board in no time.

After a tour of our boat we set sail, the weather was good and we were soon moored up for our overnight stay. A table was reserved for us just a few steps from Summer Breeze.

In the morning we headed out for Sivota as soon as we had finished breakfast as the news was that the wind was going to get strong later in the day. We had the sails up for a while and Andy was smiling 😀 Well that smile was soon wiped from his face when we caught a lazy line on our prop!! So, we didn’t mind being the entertainment of the day for some people!! After lots of dives below the boat we sent for the cavalry and they arrived. The boys from Nisos 😍 As we had needed to go in bow to, we were lucky to have lovely neighbours that allowed us to get to shore from their boat.
Margaret had fun at the showers helping a young man by holding his towel in his time of need 😂.

Tuesday morning and we decided to head for Fiskardo on Kefalonia with a hope of getting an overnight mooring in this very popular port. After a beautiful breakfast we set sail once more. We crossed the busy Kefalonian Straights with ferries and pleasure cruises all around. The wind and gusts reached 23 knots and it was definitely a choppy (and wet at times too) crossing. Well done to Jim & Margaret for hanging on and even smiling along the way.
Luck was on our side this time and we managed a stern to mooring, maybe the last of the day to be found. A lovely lazy lunch in the sun followed by a wander around beautiful Fiskardo. Dinner a Ellie’s was good & the wine too.

In the morning we headed out to find a bay where we could enjoy a peaceful breakfast. Ormos Kaminus was such a beautiful bay and Margaret renamed it as Heavenly Bay 😍

Breakfast, swimming, photographs and playing with the baby (that’s the drone to most people) we didn’t want to leave. But there was another island to visit, so we made our way towards the Island of Ithaca and a port called Frikes. The wind had dropped and it was a lovely relaxing sail. On arrival into Frikes we found space to moor side to and taking care of shallow water and rocks around us we were soon safe and secure for the evening. A nice cold beer with nibbles and a relax was in order. Another yacht tried to moor in front of us but they were having difficulties, after trying hard it was best for them to raft on to our yacht for the night. They were a lovely friendly family from Belgium. A wander into the village and a table booked for 8:30pm, a lovely shower and back to the boat for drinks before dinner. Another wonderful dinner with great company. This is the life!!

It’s Thursday morning already, the week is flying by. We sail out towards our next overnight stay, the small island of Kastos. On the way we planned another beautiful stop for lunch on a tiny island called Atoko, in Cliff Bay, once again renamed by Margaret as Turquoise Bay as the sea was so blue. Swimming and snorkelling, laughing and chatting, eating and drinking, Oh and flying the baby of course 😂😂
Off to Kastos and the small port was already busy when we arrived. We dropped our anchor and long lined to shore. A peaceful night ahead. Well that’s what Margaret thought but she had to get in the dinghy first 😀 No problem at all. Off to shower and get ready for dinner. Laughter all the way in our little dinghy but we made it 😂😂 and back again in the dark. The stars in the sky were wonderful with so little light pollution on this little island.

We had decided not to rush off today so in the morning we had a walk up to a bar that was a lovely renovated windmill with beautiful views out to sea. The cameras were clicking away.

Friday morning and heading to Kalamos, we were going to visit George, everyone who has ever been to Kalamos knows George 😍 A stern to mooring and George taking our anchor out to make life so easy. A wander along to have a lovely cold beer with a view. In George’s taverna of course! Our table reserved for the evening so it must be time for another relaxing session of watching the world go by. The stars were once again amazing and Jim was having so much fun with Andy’s phone and the Star Walk app, he even said he needed to get a smart phone!!

Saturday morning and thoughts of this being our last night on board was on everyone’s mind. We had truly had a wonderful week. We were heading off to Spartakhori on Meganisi. We had a morning sail down to Port Leone, stopping first in a quiet little bay for breakfast. Swimming in Port Leone was gorgeous. It was soon time to sail onwards.

We arrived in Spartakhori with a lovely welcome from the taverna owner who helped us moor on a lazy line. There was free water, electricity an

d showers. Once settled with drinks and nibbles it was time for the baby to have a flight again. There were hammocks at the back of the beach and although Margaret was a little apprehensive she managed to stay in even with all our giggles and laughter.
Our meal was gorgeous once again.

We decided to leave early in the morning to experience the sunrise at sea. Clicking cameras once again. It was a wonderful sight.

Heading for Perigiali with a touch of sadness but we had such a wonderful week it just made you smile. We were heading back to Nydri Beach Hotel for a few days so that was good. The Nisos team were waiting for our arrival and we had to leave Summer Breeze for the last time. Margaret had tears in her eyes and it wasn’t just because she had to walk the plank yet again 😘

Back to the hotel and just in time for breakfast, what timing.
With a lovely welcome once again from Dimitris & the girls, it’s like coming home.
A few more lazy days on the beach soaking up the sun.

On Tuesday we hired a little motor boat for the day, we visited Little Vathi and Dessimi Beach, had a swim in a little bay and explored Nydri Bay too.

We had a full final day on Wednesday as our flight was at 10pm. Dimitris kindly let us use a room for the day so we could spend our day on the beach.

Then it was time for goodbyes and these were said along with “see you next time” as I am sure we will return 😍

 

 

We have had a wonderful adventure sailing the South Ionian and thank you to Jim & Margaret for sharing this with us. We have had fun and laughter every day making lovely memories that will last forever 😍